Silent Voices, Bushenyi

The Pro:Piggery group in Bergen

2010-03-23T11:44:00.011+03:00

Hello.
We in the Pro:Piggery group from Lions Club Bergen Student just want to give a short presentation of ourselves.

My name is Anders Skorpen. I’m 23 years old (will be 24 by the time we travel to Uganda). I’m currently in my third year of my master in law studies. In the LCBS pro:piggery group I’m head of reporting. I write the quarterly reports, and will after this summer make a yearly report of the project.

My name is Nina, and I`m 25 year old master student within the studies Business
Analysis and Performance Management at the Norwegian School of
Economics and Business Administration. This semester I am writing
my final master thesis.
I applied for the controller position on the Piggery project because
I loved the idea that the farm would be handed back to the local community
when it is up and running. Also I saw that I could use my
education to help with some of the challenges one will face when
building and running a Piggery.
The journey to Uganda in June is my main motivation when writing
my master thesis. Especially I am looking forward to both meet the
people involved and discuss some of the economic aspects of the Piggery.

My name is Jon Halvard Bolstad Olsen, but you can just call me Jon. I have been assigned the position as project coordinator in Norway, now that Andreas has moved to Oslo.
Currently I study at the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration, where I am taking a masters degree within energy, natural resources and the environment. Next to studying here in Bergen I have also been on a few exchanges; Sao Paulo (Brazil), Rotterdam and Los Angeles as well as living years in Hamburg and London when I was younger.

I am 24 years old and I have to younger sisters who live south in Norway (Grimstad) with my parents. In my spare time I involve myself in several types of sports and other student related organizations. I sincerely look forward to getting to know you and hope our cooperation will become prosperous.

Hello. My name is Jenny Sunde Beinset, and I`m the relations manager on the Piggary group. I`m 23 years old, and I`m studying for a bachelor degree in social work. I also have a bachelor in Development Studies, and I`w specialized is in social anthropology.
I studied one semester at Makerere University in Kampala in the fall of 2008, and I was a part of the AIM group who went to Uganda in 2009.

I`w heard a lot about the Piggary project over the last few years, and now I`m really exited about beeing a part of it. I`m really looking forward to going to Bushenyi this summer and get to know all the people involved.

So, this is our group. We are all looking forward to meeting Silent Voices in person, and we hope you are all doing okey.

First 'Silent Voices' committee meeting of 2010

2010-02-16T09:59:00.008+03:00

Last thursday 'Silent Voices' conducted the first committee meeting of 2010.

And obviously the update on 'Pro:Pig' was part of the Agenda.

The update was followed by the 5 parents representatives, and the 5 teacher representatives from each county in Bushenyi District discussing the options 'Silent Voices' was left with. They came up with 4 options (see photo):

1. accept the court cast
2. buying a different land
3. do away with Lions all together and start fundraising again
4. 'make peace' with Lions Bushenyi and accept that landtittle will be in their names

After members initional anger (and opting for the courtcase) it was discussed how long this would take, and how costly it would be. All four options when then discussed and weighted against eachother.... Followed by voting.

The vote results were clear... 9 out of 9 opted for 'buying a different land' and continue from there.

Now we just wait for your - Lions Students - official go ahead...

A Lost Case

2010-02-09T10:37:00.007+03:00

Saturday 6th Feb was set for the land inspection by the land committee in order to process a Land Title for the land meant for the piggery for Silent Voices.

Unfortunately enough... with the history of the land... Lions Bushenyi had to be present as well, and moreover had to sign the forms in order to allow the Land Committee to bring out a positive advice to the Land Board.

Despite everybody's prayers, and the overdose of optimism amongst some of you... what i feared became reality: Lions Bushenyi pulled up in the biggest numbers (yet ever since November they held no meetings because of the zero turn out) and hijacked the meeting. The 6 lions showed no respect for the Land Committee members, neither to 'Silent Voices'- beneficiary, or to Thur Olav - who had traveled from Kampala as 'donor representative' and didn't allow any of the other stakeholders to make a point.

Result?? A negative advice from the Committee and a referral to the Court...

How we will continue?? Let's take time to let the current situation sink in, take time to discuss and receive feedback from members from LCBS and 'Silent Voices'... than after we shall report again.

Nathalie

Aid in Meeting 2008 Video

2010-02-04T02:52:00.006+03:00

While you're waiting for Terry of Terry's Film Crew's newest masterpiece, "Aid in Meeting 2009", I suggest that you have a look at a much-treasured gem from his back catalogue, "Aid in Meeting 2008".

Featured in the video are Nathalie Jonkergouw Arinda, Patron of 'Silent Voices', and Wilson Tumwine, Mayor of Mbarara and Vice Governor of Lions District 411-B.

You may also find a few other videos about Lions Club Bergen Student and our work in Uganda on Terry's YouTube channel.

Hope on the Horizon

2010-02-03T08:27:00.004+03:00

Goodmorning everybody!!

And another step is taken!! Yesterday Hilary and me (resp. Project Volunteer and Patron) traveled to Madam Lucia the Chairperson of the Landcommittee who are to inspect the piggery land on saturday in order to get the 'invitation letters' signed and stamped - see photo.

On saturday we have the challenge to bring a big group of people together at the same time at the same place: Me as Patron, Amanda as second signatory for 'Silent Voices', the previous owner of the land, both neighbours of the land, representatives of Lions Bushenyi, Witnesses, the Local Chairperson... etc etc... All these people have to agree that land will be owned by 'Silent Voices' and they will all have to sign our application form to the (currently none excising) landboard. A big happening so to say (not to forget that patron's small baby will be present as well... their patron carries her foodsupply arround...).

The prediction on how far Lions Bushenyi can still influence this process are unpredictable. When Hilary and I met the secretary of the land committee it was clear that the committee has been informed that others are trying to steal the land... but yesterday in our meeting with the Chairperson of that same committee she reasoned that instructions of donors outweight the stand of the local Lions Club... but if that local Lions Club will be persuaed to sign??? who can tell by now??

So... I am left with what we call 'hunting down'... hunting down all these neighbours, and owners, and witnesses in order to have them physically present on saturday.

I am sorry to all of you but this saturday NO LAYING IN!! you get up at 8am and pray!! that is our time 10am when this whole event should be taking place!!

Nathalie

It cost 20.000 to pay 20.000

2010-02-01T10:44:00.003+03:00

The first fee is paid!! 20.000 ush for the land inspection fee (land inspection sceduled for saturday 6th).

What it took?? three times driving up and down to the Sub County Headquarters in order to get the right people, at the right time behind the right desk (10.000 fuel cost) and numerous phone calls to find out where people where, and when to arrive etc etc (10.000 airtime). So it has cost 20.000 to pay this 20.000.

The receipt is their though and an appointment with the committee chairperson is made for tomorrow to sign for us the letter to invite neighbours, witnesses, Lions representatives etc for the saturday occasion.

You pray with us that saturday comes with the miracle that Lions Bushenyi simply signs instead of creating confusion!!

Nathalie
Patron 'Silent Voices'

'Silent Voices' in control!?

2010-01-27T12:10:00.003+03:00

I think that most people who follow this blog know that Pro: Piggery faced some problems with the land-ownership issues of the land bought to build the piggery farm on.

The land title process is now in hands of ‘Silent Voices’ and we are moving SLOWLY!!

We have the forms and the filling out has started. We (Nathalie and Hilary – Project Volunteer) had a meeting with the District Surveyor who explained the whole process to ‘Silent Voices’. (see photo).

Let us give you an insight into this process (so you might understand that we still have to be very very patient!!):

· filling of the forms:

For the filling of the forms we need not only pen and paper, but also the signatories of the owners of the neighbouring lands, a visit from a 5 person Land Committee and their report and recommendation, and signatories of 5 independent witnesses!!

The committee needs a meeting date with a two week warning (and of course it’s ‘Silent Voices’ to pick them and bring them back, and to pay for the report to be compiled) etc… that were we are working on now…

· back up documents:

After filling the forms and collecting the signatories we shall attach all back up documents: Constitution (which we might have to change in order to show landownership more clearly), Registrations, Letters from Donors (yes… you!!) etc

· Pay the first fee:

We will be allowed to pay a fee at the sub-county headquarters…

· Submit file to District Land Board:

And here we discovered a very tricky point: Bushenyi District currently has NO land board!! The board expired in November 09, new names have been submitted to the Ministry but no approval has been received… and as such no swearing in has taken place at the District Level… so, currently all land title request are piling up at the land office!! (Apparently about 150 requests…).

· Approval or Rejection:

It’s up to the Land Board to approve or reject or to set terms of condition.

· Pay the second fee

By approval of the land board ‘Silent Voices’ will have to pay a fee set by the land board which apparently is a percentage of the land value…

· Submission to Land Title office in Entebbe:

Here ‘Silent Voices’ will leave the process in hands of the Land Surveyor… he will get paid to do all travels up and down to Entebbe and to get the final papers..

Time scale??

With a Land Board, and no obstacles or complications… two and half months…

So… please… wish us well!!

Nathalie

Patron of ‘Silent Voices’, and Project Coordinator Pro Pig from the Ugandan side

Slient Voices gets a new computer from LC Askøy

2009-12-16T15:34:00.004+03:00

During our visit to Bushenyi in December, we had the pleasure of handing over a brand new computer to Silent Voices, donated by LC Askøy. On behalf of everyone who is involved in the piggery project, and especially Silent Voices, I would like to send them a huge thank you!

Breaking Piggery Ground

2009-11-26T01:42:00.001+03:00

During the annual meeting of Silent Voices on July 18, a ceremonial ground-breaking took place on the piggery land. Participating were representatives of Silent Voices, Lions Club Bergen Student, Lions Club of Bushenyi and a member of the Ugandan Parliament, among others.

'silent voices' itself joins in...

2009-11-25T14:25:00.002+03:00

hallo all,

This is 'Silent Voices' life from Bushenyi... in a big search how all this wonderful technology and means of communication are to work... So far so good... discovered how to log in, and under which name... got to the 'new post'... so here we are!!

next will be how to actually post it, place photo's etc.. but ... We are up for it!!

Pictures of the Piggery Land in Bushenyi

2009-11-25T13:07:00.004+03:00

The piggery land is located across the road from the Kabagarame meat market, which will be the main outlet for the meat produced at the farm.

Lions Club Bergen Student were very happy to see the land!

Lions Club Bergen Student together with Lions Club of Bushenyi.

An adjacent swamp area from which the piggery will get its supply of water.

About Silent Voices

2009-11-01T01:05:00.004+03:00

'Silent Voices' is a community-based organization in Bushenyi District situated in the South/West of Uganda.

Parents - and caretakers of Deaf Children in this district have formed this CBO with the vision

That in Bushenyi District Deaf Children are treated the same as Hearing Children in anyway and not be stigmatized

....

The Piggery

2009-11-01T00:55:00.003+03:00

The goal of Pro: Piggery is to enable the members of Silent Voices to generate enough income to finance the basic running costs of their own organization.

By constructing a piggery just outside Bushenyi Town, and staffing it with members of the organization, we are giving all parties involved the opportunity to help themselves and become environmental role models in the local community. As compensation for the work they put in, each parent gets to take a piglet home with them, which they can raise on their own, thereby making it possible for them to improve their own homestead through the skills they have gotten from working at the piggery.

At the end of a two-year project period, the piggery will have become an integral part of Silent Voices, and a reliable source of income, ensuring the sustainability of the organization.

Welcome to the new web site of Silent Voices, Bushenyi

2009-05-30T21:31:00.001+03:00

This will be the new web site for Silent Voices, a community-based organization in Bushenyi, Uganda working to provide sign language education for deaf children and their families.

The site should be ready by June 21, but for now we are still working on its development. Please check back soon.

In the meantime you could head over to our old blog: http://silentvoices.wordpress.com/